Life preserver



Sept. 28, v1937. s. scAvo I LIFE PRESERVER Filed Nov. 25, 195e 2 Sheetsv-Shee'cy l nvenor 5a, la@ fr@ Sceau-0 l By y orneys S. SCAVO LIFE PRESERVER sept. 2s, i937.

Filed Nov. 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nvenor Salva/Zora4 Soave WA orneys Patented Sept. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEg 1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful l improvements in life preservers.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a life preserv-er which can be quickly applied to the body of the person to be saved and inflated by him without inconvenience.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an inflatable life preserver which will serve effectively to keep the head of the wearer well out of the water.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a perspective View of the apparatus and its application to a person.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View through one of the valves.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view partly in section of one of the inating bulbs.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 1 that numeral 5 generally refers to the neck or breast unit while numerals 6 6 generally refer to the side unit. The breast unit 5 consists of a semi-circular shaped inflatable bladder 1 of rubber or similar material 8 at oneend and a stud 9 at its opposite end adapted to be engaged by the neck encircling strap 8 so that the bladder 1 can be supported over the chest of the wearer in substantially the manner shown in Figure 1.

A connecting member I0 extends from the bladder I to one of thebladders 6, but this does not aord communicating means but simply a connection whereby these units cannot become separated or lost from each other.

The inner sides of the side units 6 6 are provided with belt guides I I through which the Waist encircling belt I2 is disposed, this belt being provided with a perforated end and a buckle I3 at its opposite end. The bladder-like structures 6 6 are of rubber or some similar material and t well up under the arms of the wearer and are connected and communicated at their rear ends by the tube I4.

As is shown in Figure 2, one of the side units 6 is provided with a valvular inlet I5 for air with which the end I6 of the pump means generally referred to by numeral I'I can be engaged. This pump means consists of the bulb I8 having the air inlet opening I9 and the conduit 26 at the end of which is located the coupling I6 for engagement with the said valvular means I5. The conduit 20 is provided with a collar 26' from which extends the flexible element 2| terminating in a plug 22 which can be engaged into the opening I9 of the bulb I8 so that water cannot get into the bulb.

v VObviously by placing the hand on the opening I9 and compressing the bulb- I8 which is of resilient material, air can be driven into the bladders 6 6 at each time the bulb is released, the nger is removed from the opening I9 so that the bulb can fill air after which the nger is again placed over the opening I9 before compression of the bulb.

The breast engaging bladder I is also equipped with a pump I'I as is clearly shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 simply serves to show more in detail the conventional type of valve I5 employed. This valve simply consists of the valve shell 23 and the valve member 24 therein. These valves are well known and are used extensively for automobile inner tubes.

l While the foregoing specication sets forth the invention` in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new 1s:

In a life preserver of the character described, an inflatable breast unit and a pair of inflatable side units, a neck strap carried by the breast unit for positioning the unit under the chin of the wearer, a strap connection between the breast unit and one of the side units: for maintaining the units in assembled relation,`a tube connecting the rear ends of the side units, belt guides carried by the inner sides of the side units intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof, a body strap extending through the belt guides adapted to be secured together at the front of the life preserver for holding the side units against movement' relative to the body strap and body of the wearer with the inflatable side units extending above and below the body strap and means whereby said units may be ini-lated.

SALVATORE SCAVO. 

